Maya Jama and James Acaster were absent from the live Celebrity Traitors Uncloaked special on Friday night, despite both having played prominent roles in the tense series finale.
The pair were missing from the programme hosted by Claudia Winkleman alongside Ed Gamble, following the conclusion of the BBC reality show in which the Faithfuls defeated the Traitors.
Romesh Ranganathan, 48, and Sebastian Croft, 24, were crowned joint winners after Maya, 32, and King Kenny, 29, were banished at the final hurdle. The pair shared a prize of £83,000, receiving £41,500 each for their chosen charities.
Croft selected Choose Love, while Ranganathan chose the Refugee Council. Their victory came after Traitor James Acaster, 41, revealed his identity during Thursday’s penultimate episode.
Michael Sheen, who was murdered during the final, was also not present at Uncloaked, although he sent a video message to the programme.
It is believed the absent celebrities had existing work commitments. Jama has been filming the second series of The Gentlemen this week.
James Acaster’s dramatic exit from Celebrity Traitors
Acaster’s departure followed a tense round table in which Michael questioned him about Ross Kemp’s murder in plain sight, including how he knew about the perfume bottle involved.
Acaster told the group he had been made a Traitor against his wishes, saying: “I just want to explain my situation. I was made a Traitor without wanting to be.”
He added: “I’ve had a unique experience on this that no one has had before, where I wanted to be a Faithful; that’s all I wanted to be. I couldn’t just go, ‘Guys, it’s me, vote for me.’ But that’s all I can do, really.”
Filming was paused after Acaster became anxious and took time to gather himself. He subsequently received every vote and admitted: “I am, reluctantly, a Traitor,” before saying that a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Ranganathan and Croft later celebrated their victory outside Ardross Castle, where they raised a glass with Winkleman and the celebrity finalists around a fire pit.
Ranganathan said: “I trusted Bash and I was right to. I cannot believe it! I just really hope my mum is proud.”
Croft became tearful as he described the result as “the best day of my life”, while Ranganathan said his biggest highlight had been making a friend in Croft and discovering that his trust in him had paid off.
Fans praised the final, with one describing it as “excellent television” and others celebrating the winners’ decision to donate their prize money to charities supporting refugees.
